As Christmas approaches, each year, children all over the world are filled with anitcipation about that special visit from Santa Claus. They may tell the Santa in person what they want, when he visits their local mall, or they may write him letters, filled with long lists of the toys and special gifts they hope he'll pack on his sleigh for them.

There are as many different childrens' wish lists as there are children. And, of course, retailers and toymakers have myriad toys and games and dolls ready, along with all the necessary accessories, with which to tempt our children during the holiday season. And all of that marketing usually works-our kids all want to have the coolest new gadgets on the store shelves. And, of course, most parents want to do their best to please their kids on Christmas morning, and fulfill as many of those wishes as possible.

But besides all the cool toys that their kids asked for, many parents also find that their kids ask for new pets for Christmas. It happens most often in homes currently without pets, and puppies and kittens are the most-often requested new additions.

Parents are usually not quite so anxious to bring a new pet into the home, if they don't have one already. Mom and Dad know that a new pet, particularly a puppy or kitten, will mean a lot of work. And, Mom and Dad know, that work will most likely fall on their already-too-busy shoulders.

Children rarely realize the kind of commitment necessary, when adding a puppy or kitten to the family circle. And most kids simply don't have the attention spans necessary to caring for a young, dependent creature. Puppies and kittens, especially, will wreck of lot of precious stuff around the house, if not monitored constantly.

Pets need regular feeding schedules, which can change as they age. Pets also require a lot of attention and love. A pet is not a toy that can be put up, when a child is tired of playing with it. A pet that gets ignored is a pet that may act out in aggressive or destructive ways.

For these reasons, parents and kids need to talk honestly about the requirements of being responsible for other living creatures in the home. Once everyone is aware of the amount of work expected, it's possible that the desire for a new pet will fade.

Christmastime is busy enough, as it is. The best time to bring a new pet, requiring a lot of attention, into the home, is probably when there are no other holidays to compete with. That new puppy or kitten needs all the love it can get.

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Imaginary Greetings assists scores of families globally by enlightening and adding to their children's once in a lifetime magical beliefs like not ever before possible. You too can make this happen with a phone call from Santa Claus.